Abstract
Temporal variation, population and growth parameters of swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758) in the nearshore waters of Kenya
Highlights
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a highly migratory species that forms an important fishery globally including Kenya
We investigate the temporal variation in fish catch rates, length frequency distribution, growth parameters, mortality rates, maturity and fishing gear selectivity and Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) for the swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fishery in Kenya coastal waters
The results indicate that seasonality influenced the catch rates of Swordfish in the Kenyan coastal waters
Summary
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a highly migratory species that forms an important fishery globally including Kenya. In 2019, swordfish catch in the Indian Ocean was estimated at 32, 671 Mt compared to some 31, 628 Mt, and 34, 782 Mt caught in 2019 and 2018 respectively (IOTC, 2020; IOTC, 2019; and IOTC, 2018). In all these cases the catches were very close to the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) of 33, 000 Mt, and slightly above the lower limit of the MSY range of 27, 000-40,000 Mt (IOTC, 2020). Swordfish catches in the Indian Ocean region have been reported by fishing fleets flagged to Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Iran, India, Pakistani, Spain, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles and Reunion (IOTC, 2016; and IOTC, 2017). Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China, India, EU/Spain contributed over 63 % of the catch in the period 2015 – 2019 (IOTC, 2020)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
